New Zealand Recognizes ALL Animals As Sentient Beings

News to celebrate! Wishing a world of ripples outward from this fabulous leap of a forward consciousness–thanks to Deus Nexus for re-posting, and thanks to TrueActivist.com for originally posting this truly revolutionary news.

A landmark decision by the Kiwis sets a precedent that other countries should follow.

A laughing owl. Flickr, by merec0

New Zealand has just set a great example to the world by recognizing what animal lovers have known forever- that our furry friends are as sentient as we are, and (obviously, dur) they have feelings just like we do. It’s a theme we have coveredtime and again here at True Activist, but this landmark ruling by NZ is the first time this shift in perception and policy has been extended to allanimals, not just chimpanzees, orangutans, or dolphins.

The Animal Welfare Amendment Bill, passed last month, aims to make it easier to prosecute people in animal cruelty cases, as well as banning animal testing and research.

Animal rights activists have celebrated the decision. “To say that animals are sentient is to state explicitly that…